4th wheel kit worth investment?

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euphoric1

Well-known member
I have a 2017 Eltigre 8000 and it only has 2 center wheels and no outers, I have always thought this looked cool but am questioning putting a 4th wheel kit on it. What is the reasoning for only 2 wheels and what benefits are there in having 4? every other year I pull skid frames, this is the year and if someone can convince me its worth the investment I will install it while I have the skid frame out, otherwise I will just leave it. Thanks! If I would decide to put it in does anyone know the Part# for the kit?
 
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wfd123

Member
One of those center wheels go out you’re screwed. 4 is better than 2. Have a 2019 SW and put a 4 wheel kit on from BOP. Think you have the tri hub. Mine came with 2 outer and 1 inner. BOP KIT replaced the the inner one with 2 heavy duty inners and kept the 2 outer plastic pos ones.
 
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mrbb

Well-known member
thats would still be the TRI hub set up, so when you go to a TRUE 4th wheel kit you end up getting rid of that set up, which to many is a better set up, but that mostly came about due to original tri hubs had non greasable bearings, that if a bearing failed it could lock up the tri hub and leave you dead in the water or worse , damage sled when it happened!
like everything, there will be guys that have super luck with OEM set up, never a issue and those that will

for me, I see more pro's to a good ki like the JT or Larson racing one's than con's
that is minus price tag!
 
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old abe

Well-known member
I've added the "4th" wheel to all my sleds for forty years, and I highly recommend it. I sometimes had to make "my own kit", eh! We do long trips, and have never had any rear wheel fail. It may slow you down some verses the "2" set up, but very little. Durability is greatly enhanced for sure!
 
xsledder

xsledder

Active member
You have the tri hub like my 2016 High Country. The tri hub has a smaller bearing then the normal idler wheels in the rear axle and are prone to failure and will ruin the track. Since I customarily pull my skid every year, I check the bearings in the tri hub and if one sounds or feels bad, I replace them both. (Note, the tri hub is not the easiest thing to get off or apart. It is not the most difficult either, it is just annoying to work on. Take it apart once and you will understand what I am saying.) I did not pull my skid this year since I installed a new tri hub on the skid last year and put less than 1,000 miles on the sled. If the tri hub has say 4,000 - 5,000 miles on it, I would suggest replacing the tri hub or replacing it with something totally different.

Cat came up with the tri hub to save a few pounds and it is as the old saying goes, penny wise, pound foolish. That is why they dumped it. I think Cat even has a replacement 4th wheel kit.
 
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WorkHardPlayHrd

Active member
Put the 4th wheel kit on both Thundercats before they even left the dealership new. The kits were $129 in 2017. Labor cost $50. High powered sleds, middle of nowhere, and we like to ride at night when no one is around. The reason it went to 2 wheels was to save money and weight. If you have studs you really should have them anyway.
 
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old abe

Well-known member
WorkHardPlayHrd said:
Put the 4th wheel kit on both Thundercats before they even left the dealership new. The kits were $129 in 2017. Labor cost $50. High powered sleds, middle of nowhere, and we like to ride at night when no one is around. The reason it went to 2 wheels was to save money and weight. If you have studs you really should have them anyway.
Click to expand...

Absolutely spot on!
 
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